Cross Country BC Fundraising Campaign 

 

Larch Hills continues in Second Place in the CCBC Fundraising Campaign! So far we have raised $18,330.00 of our $20,000 goal. Thanks to those who have already donated! This final $20,000 will ensure that we can start the construction of Phase 1 this summer. $180,000 has now been raised for the project! Way to go Larch Hills! To donate to this campaign click here
 
Here are the details:
 
Larch Hills Nordic Society is raising funds to install 6 km of LED trail lighting at Larch Hills Recreation Area.  The estimated cost of construction is $100,000 per kilometer and funds will be raised through fundraising events, donations, and grants.  This is a 4-phase plan and we are very close to raising the amount needed to complete the first phase.   Phase 1 is a loop, 1.64 km in length.  Installation is planned to begin this Spring and be ready for the start of the 2021-22 ski season.  

 The Project Details:   

• 6K varied moderate route, including loops of shorter distances
• LED lighting, underground wiring, metal davit poles.
• Annual operating cost less than $1500 per year.
• Project won $25,000 in 2019 Kraft Heinz Project Play competition.
• Recognition:  Get your name plaque on an individual light pole: Silver, Gold, Platinum or Legacy depending on donation amount.

Ski School Hosts 
 

Many schools participate in bringing their classes to experience the trails and are very appreciative of the volunteers who commit their time to provide this wonderful opportunity.  This year the time commitment has stretched out into March due to COVID concerns and colder temperatures.  These wonderful volunteers have willingly agreed to step up and roll with the challenges.  This season has seen 34 class visits totally approximately 910 children and 31 hosts needed.  A big Thank You to Antje Breugem for organizing the scheduling of classes and appropriate number of safety hosts,  George Zorn and Megan Weir for the work they do on the committee.  Of course none of these experiences would happen without the willingness of our volunteers.

Thank you to these 25 Larch Hills Nordics Volunteers for hosting Jan. 2021 School visits:
 

Tom & Eleanor Marshall                      Lorne Hunter
Marcia & Jim Beckner                         Jeff Chesham
John & Leslie Wilson                           Kerry Miller
George & Jeanetta Zorn                      Reinhard Liebich
Brian & Eva Smith                                Pat Danforth
Val & Barb Heckrodt                             Kirsten Earl
Peter Molnar & Pauline Waelti             Guido Reichlin
Beth & Rob Savage                             
Elizabeth Eso & Dennis Charbonneau
                                  

To the 16 Larch Hills Volunteer Safety Hosts – Emergency Responders:
 

Jeremy Ayotte               Dirk Breugem
Jim Cadden                   Keith Cox
Mike Dobbin                  Bill Grainger
Jessica Klikach             Christina Marusiak
Craig McBride               David Millard
Duncan Moore              Doug Noakes 
John Thielman              Ernie Whitehead
George Zorn

 

Nine Larch Hills Volunteer Safety Hosts took Work Safe BC First Aid certification training courses at Okanagan College, one day in December and one day in January. Thanks to the Club for fully covering the cost for these two courses for each Safety Host. Our Club is fortunate to have four experienced LHNS members who have joined the Safety Hosts – Emergency Responders this season: Dr. Dirk Breugem, Jim Cadden, Christina Marusiak and Jessica Kilkach. 

Safety Hosts wear a Red / White Cross band while skiing to be visible. Safety Hosts would be happy to answer questions you might have about this service.
Thanks to LHNS Club Manager, Karen Tanchak for her support in many ways!
 

EMERGENCY ON TRAIL? : CALL 250 833 LHNS (5467), LISTEN to the message, RESPOND by calling a Safety Host skiing on the trails or if no Safety Host call an LHNS Emergency Responder – see free waterproof contacts list Contacts sheet on Kiosk Notice Board across from Chalet.   
Still No Response? Call 911 – expect to wait ~90 min for Search & Rescue’s arrival.

 
5 Tips to considerably reduce Emergency Response time: 

1) CARRY a fully charged Cell Phone with you with 250 833 LHNS(5467) added to your phone contacts list as ‘LHNS Emergency Response’.
2) CARRY a copy of this 2-sided sheet with you: Emergency Responders Contacts and Cell Phone Reception Areas trails map (free and waterproof). Available on the Kiosk Notice Board across from Chalet. SEE enlarged Cell Reception maps at five on-trail locations. Become familiar with the LHNS Emergency Response Plan posted in the Chalet
3) USE / LOAD a geo referenced Cell Phone Reception Areas trails map on your phone: details on the LHNS website’s Trail Maps page. Ask any Safety Host about this. Identify where help is needed.
4) TRY TEXTING if the cell signal strength is weak or there is “No Service” on your phone
5) BE PREPARED by understanding the LHNS “Skier/Snowshoer Emergency Response” and LHNS “Winter Emergency Preparations” posted on the LHNS website’s Safety Hosts webpage, next to the Chalet Safety Hosts Board across from the Chalet OR speak with a LHNS Safety Host.
Skiers using the Larch Hills trails ski at their own risk. Trails are not patrolled. Ski with a group of friends.
HAVE A SAFE & FUN DAY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING .   2020/21 LHNS Safety Committee & LHNS Volunteer Emergency Responders
 

Larch Hills Nordic Society Executive Elections
AGM – March 9, 2021
 

We are now accepting nominations for the Larch Hills Nordic Society Executive. If you are interested in becoming involved, would like to nominate someone or have questions please contact one of the members of the nomination committee. There are currently two director positions open for the coming season. The Larch Hills Nordic Society Executive is responsible for overseeing the operations of the club. We meet the first Tuesday of each month for Executive meetings and attend four General meetings each season.
 
Nomination Committee:
 
Pauline Waelti – pwaelti5@gmail.com or  250-833-0325
 
Hermann Bruns – hbruns@live.ca or 250-838-7447

 

The Larch Hills Nordic Society is looking for members interested in being involved in two new committee for this spring.
 
1. Tom’s Shelter Committee – Tom’s Shelter has been deactivated and we would like to make a plan for that location. 
 
2. Long Term Planning Committee – The Larch Hills Nordic Society is looking at long-term planning for 5-10 years into the future. 
 
If you are interested in being involved in either of these committees or for more information contact Karen Tanchak at manager@skilarchhills.ca